Hypnosis is Not as Spooky as You Think

Your eyes are getting heavy; you are getting verrrryyy, very sleepy…. If you have seen horror movies you probably picture the process of being hypnotized as a mad scientist with the pocket watch forcing you in a trance. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have seen a hypnosis performer you most likely think they are capable of controlling a group who are completely unaware that they are acting like clowns. Neither is true.

Hypnosis is not a Halloween gag or a parlor trick. It is your own ability to harness your mind. No one can forcefully hypnotize you or make you do something you don’t want to do.

August is National Hypnosis Awareness Month. These are the facts you need to know:

There is no mind control involved and you are not asleep

Hypnosis is a natural state that occurs in us nearly every day. Daydreaming or being so consumed by a task that you block out your conscious surroundings are examples.

In a state of hypnosis your conscious mind gets distracted so that your subconscious mind can receive suggestions.

It is actually a very relaxed yet hyper aware state of being. Your focus, memory and level of concentration are all elevated.

It is impossible to get stuck in hypnosis. You are in control at all times.

Hypnosis can help you overcome fear, reduce pain, and change negative thought or behaviors. It can even improve your confidence that thereby improve your performance at work, in sports and in many other situations.

A hypnotist has no special powers. Anyone can do it if they know how.

Hypnosis is simply the power of suggestion. Some people are more suggestible than others which makes being hypnotized easier and the results more effective. There are tests that a hypnotist will use to determine your level of suggestibility and thus, the best method of hypnotic induction to use.

Stage hypnotists use suggestibility tests to weed out the people in the audience that are at the highest level and therefore the easiest subjects. They are open to suggestion, want to be hypnotized and are more likely to feel comfortable in the silly scenarios that these stage performers put them in. Remember, at no time is anyone being forced to participate. If the hypnotist asks the subject to do something that they don’t want to do, the subject will simply not do it and the quick thinking performer will simply tell them to remain in the “sleep” state and move on with another trick.

Do you think hypnosis is the real deal or a bunch of hogwash? Let us know.